Betty Arlene Wyler Riley

Our mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt and friend, Betty Arlene Wyler Riley died in her sleep on March 13th, 2025. She was surrounded by her loved ones. Her only wishes on her last days were to say “thanks” to everyone and to be reunited with Keith.

Arlene was born in Payson, Utah, on September 27, 1934. Arlene married her high-school sweetheart, Keith Riley, on July 29, 1953, at the Hitching Post Wedding Chapel in Las Vegas, Nevada. Their wedding night, on a limited budget, they purchased five hamburgers at Dee’s Restaurant for $1.00. Keith ate four of them. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Salt Lake City LDS Temple, in May of 1957.

Arlene grew up in Payson during the Depression with her parents and siblings, Joyce, Annette and Robert. She was a small baby weighing only five pounds. Her cousins all called her “Tootsie” growing up. The first Christmas gift she remembered receiving was a “Betsy Wetsy” doll. Through the years from first grade to fifth grade, she always had a job. In the summer, she picked cherries, raspberries, thinned sugar beets and picked tomatoes. The farmers would load all the kids on a flatbed truck and take them to the fields. Another way she made money was tending the neighbor’s kids.

A very special time in her young life was attending the Payson City Golden Onion Days celebration. What great fun! This great occasion was held over Labor Day weekend. It was something her friends and she looked forward to each year. Most Saturdays she went to the matinee movies and enjoyed a sack of pink popcorn.

Payson High School was the location for many of her fondest memories. A group of 20 of her closest friends formed a group called the “IGS”. They all wore Jantzen sweaters with white collars. Keith was always lurking, but the boys from Goshen wore overalls so, for a time, Arlene was not interested.

The Ex-cel-sis Beauty School of Culture in Salt Lake City was her next journey. She earned a scholarship and began her study in the summer of 1952, after graduating from high school. She graduated in June of 1953. Arlene had a great time with many friends in her school while living in the “big city”. Her love of hair fashion allowed her to convince Keith that the “comb-over” was not a good look. She had a business in the basement of their home in Bountiful, doing hair, and really enjoyed this time in her life.

Arlene had a wonderful time being a member of the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers. This fantastic organization gave her fulfillment and purpose, especially in her later years. She cherished the friendships she made the and the great experiences. She learned so much and looked forward to every meeting.

Arlene was very active in the LDS church. She was a great example of Christ and his goodness. She was kind, generous and a friend to many. She was also a great cook! One of her favorite things was when Keith would bring home geese and fill the basement freezer with them. She really enjoyed cleaning and cooking the geese for Keith.

Mom leaves behind many friends. A special thank you to her dear friends, Marci, Beneva and Cindy who have gotten together with her every Wednesday night since Keith’s passing. What a blessing this has been in her life!

Her greatest joy in life was the 70 years spent with Keith. She was very patient with him and supported him in all his endeavors. She was a great wife to him and there has been a crater-sized hole in her life since he passed. They are now reunited.

Arlene is survived by her children Dave (Leona) Riley, Lori Sprung, Steve (Tonya) Riley and Rob (Gary) Riley. Also, her grandchildren, Jake (Kristi) Riley, Stephanie (Matt) Barrington, Andrea (Dave) ZoBell, Brian Riley, Richard and Andy Sprung. Her great-grandchildren Allison, Dylan, Sailer, Duston, Henry, Wyatt, Edward and Stevie. She was preceded in death by her husband, Keith, and sisters Joyce Simmonds and Annette Lavering, her brother Robert Wyler and her grandson Duston Riley. Arlene will be remembered fondly by many.

A special thanks to Covington Senior living in Farmington.

A viewing will be held at 9:00 a.m. Tuesday, March 18, 2025, at Russon Mortuary, 295 N. Main, Bountiful, Utah. The funeral will follow at 10:00 a.m. at the mortuary. She will then be buried, next to Keith, in the Bountiful City Cemetery.

Services will be streamed live on the Russon Mortuary Live Facebook page and on this obituary page. The live stream will begin 10-15 minutes prior to services and will be posted below.